Page 80 of The Home Grown
I take a breath and steady my hands as I twist the lock.
“You got my flowers, then,” he says, nodding to the window display.
I focus in on his scar—and his lips before I realise I’m staring.
“I—yes, thank you, but it won’t work,” I say.
“What? No. I don’t intend them as a bribe. Just an apology,” he says. “I was a dick. Simple. And I’m sorry.”
“Well, thanks but?—”
“Wow—it’s been a long time,” Jess says. “I feel inclined to say I hope you’re keeping yourself out of trouble, but from what I hear, you’ve been doing the opposite,” she says, coming to a stop behind me.
“Well, well. Ithasbeen a long time,” Mike says, narrowing his eyes. He takes a second of contemplation before he realises who my friend is. “How are you keeping, Jess? I can only assume Kitch has been filling you in.”
“Well, I’m about to be divorced before I’ve hit thirty, but I guess you can’t have it all.”
“Oh, shit. Sorry to hear that. But at least we know where to come to for advice, right, Kitch?”
Mike flashes me a wink.
“See what I mean, Jess? This is all one big joke to him,” I say.
Jess grins. “Honestly, El, you need to lighten up. If you are married … you may as well ride the storm and have a little fun.” She looks at Mike. “For the record, I told her she needs to help you out. I mean—you’ll show her a good time, right? Treat her like the queen she is and all that?”
Mike, already grinning, widens his mouth. “Oh, you’ve been re-considering then, Kitch?”
“No,” I say, sternly. “Actually, I was asking Jess if she’d volunteer to be your fake-wife,” I lie.
“Why bargain for a fake one when you’re the real deal?” He does this thing with his eyebrows, causing my cheeks to flush red, betraying me.
“I was just telling Ellie that she should live a little. Do something outside of her comfort zone. Get out of Kathryn’s shadow.”
“You did not?—”
“Shush, El. But we’re just off out to dinner, so I have,” Jess looks at her watch, “at least three hours to convince her. I’m sure she’ll be in touch.”
I stare at Jess, waiting for her to break out into a smile, telling me she’s kidding, but she doesn’t. She’s shifted her attention to her phone instead.
“Ah, fuck,” Jess says under her breath as she taps at the screen furiously. “Why is he such a knob?”
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
She lets out a mammoth sized sigh. “Actually, I’m sorry, El, I probably need to dash. Phil’s gone and flooded the kitchen. Apparently, there’s a sock stuck in the washing machine pumpand there’s water everywhere.” She holds her phone up to flash a photo of her kitchen floor.
“Oh, my—looks like a nightmare. Do you want me to come with you?” I ask.
“Oh, no. Don’t worry. I’ll just have to sacrifice my nice towels if Phil hasn’t already done so. Honestly, the sooner he moves out, the better.” She slips her phone away and pulls out her car keys. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I—yeah. Yeah, all fine. I think,” I turn to look at Mike.
“I’ll text you,” she says, slipping through the doorway and out onto the street.
And just like that, it’s only me and Mike.
Chapter Sixteen
ELLIE
